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At Novartis, prevention is the best medicine

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Novartis photo

The trade show at World Dairy Expo is where more than 800 companies from around the world display the latest technologies and innovations specific to the dairy industry. Novartis Animal Health will be focusing on helping producers solve common herd health challenges which threaten performance and profitability. Dr. Doug Scholz is director of veterinary services at Novartis; he says one product they will spotlight this year is NUPLURA PH, a new pasteurella vaccine produced with recombinant technology. That technology makes it exceptionally safe, the fastest-acting pasteurella vaccine available leading to a strong immune response.

The folks from Novartis will also be happy to talk with producers about Vira Shield HB which provides protection against all major reproductive and respiratory diseases in heifers and cows.

To encourage producers to stop by booth 4108 in the Exhibit Hall, they can enter to win an iPad being given away each day of the show.

AUDIO:Scholz talks about vaccines 10:50 mp3

Filed Under: 2012 World Dairy Expo, Featured, Special Reports Tagged With: , , ,

How trade missions benefit all of agriculture

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Earlier this week a delegation of Chinese soybean buyers began a week-long trip that made stops in New Orleans, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota.  Alfonso Xin is employed by Beijing based COFCO. 

Xin tells Brownfield trips like this help to educate soy buyers for the number one importer of American soybeans.  He says ultimately that helps to strengthen the buying relationship.

AUDIO: Alfonso Xin, Benefits of trade missions (3:00mp3)

Filed Under: Feature Programs, Managing for Profit Tagged With: , , ,

Planting the best hybrid to maximize production

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Looking back at this year’s growing season – farmers have a lot to take into consideration.  Chris Jeffries, Seed Consultants general manager says early planting dates, the drought, and hotter than normal temperatures created a lot of variability in both the corn and soybean crop this year. 

While a year like allowed us to see how hybrids perform under stress – Jeffries tells Brownfield farmers should not make decision solely on what happened this year.  He says they still need to look at long-term data when deciding what hybrids to plant in which field. 

 AUDIO: Chris Jeffries, Seed Consultants (5:07mp3)

Jeffries says by working with a Seed Consultants Seedsman – farmers can find out which hybrids work best on their operation.

Filed Under: 2012 Events, 2012 Farm Science Review Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Russia suspends importation of Monsanto gm corn

September 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

Russia has suspended the importation and use of genetically engineered corn from Monsanto. The action is in response to a recent study released by France’s University of Caen which charged the company’s Roundup Ready corn caused tumors and liver and kidney damage to rats.

The study has drawn widespread skepticism because of the small sample group, incomplete data and other inconsistencies.

Monsanto says the Russian ban doesn’t really amount to that much given the fact the country does not allow the planting of gm crops and they import very little U.S. corn.

Filed Under: News, World Ag News/Trade Tagged With: , , , ,

FSIS issues Public Health Alert for Canadian beef

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service is issuing a Public Health Alert for and halted all imports of beef from XL Beef in Canada. The Edmonton, Alberta-based company issued an initial recall on September 16th for possible E.coli O157:H7 contamination in beef products produced in early September. That recall has been expanded to include nearly 300 products made from late August involving animals slaughtered on August 23rd. The original recall was for all of Canada but USDA has found that some of the beef muscle cuts came into the U.S. and were used in ground beef. The products subject to the Canadian recall were distributed to establishments in California, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

Read more from FSIS here:

Filed Under: News, USDA/Government Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Fonterra trims producer payments for 2012

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

New Zealand dairy cooperative Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy processor and exporter cut its final payout to farmer shareholders for 2012 by 19 percent. The Co-op said the cut reflects a 19 percent reduction in net profit for FY 2012 compared to 2011. Fonterra says milk production in New Zealand increased 11 percent last year resulting in oversupply which pushed prices at the bi-weekly Global Dairy Products auction to two-and-a-half-year lows in May. Prices have been increasing at the auction lately reflecting the drought in the U.S. although some of the gains have been offset by a strong New Zealand dollar.

The Co-op also warned payouts for 2013 will be even lower.

Filed Under: Dairy, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Aflatoxin waiver granted in Illinois

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted a waiver in Illinois to blend corn containing Aflatoxin. The waiver request came from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The FDA waiver adds stability to all levels of the value chain, according to Shawneetown, Illinois farmer Jeff Scates, president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

“It’s good for the producer and it’s also good for the end user,” Scates told Brownfield Ag News Wednesday. “It makes more corn available for livestock.”

This specific waiver, which applies only to Illinois, does not mandate that elevators accept Aflatoxin-affected corn. Illinois Grain and Feed Association Executive Vice President Jeff Adkisson says it allows voluntary compliance, which he calls a tough balancing act.

“Producers sometimes get a little frustrated with us because they’ve got long lines at the elevator because they’ve got to do testing, but we’ve got to protect the company,” said Adkisson, during an interview with Brownfield Ag News Wednesday. “We’ve got to protect our businesses as well, and we’ve got to protect the customer on the other end, which may be the feed industry or an export market, or something like that.”

Elevators or grain blenders must first apply for an Aflatoxin Compliance Certification.

Information on Aflatoxin, the recent waiver, and other issues impacting farmers and consumers is available on the Illinois Corn Growers Association website.

AUDIO: Jeff Scates (4 min. MP3)

AUDIO: Jeff Adkisson (4 min. MP3)

Filed Under: Crops, News Tagged With: , , ,

Two more Wisconsin counties designated disaster area

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Two more Wisconsin counties have been declared natural disaster areas because of the drought. Clark and Wood Counties are the two latest adds to the list along with the contiguous counties Adams, Chippewa, Eau Claire, Jackson, Juneau, Marathon, Portage and Taylor. Farmers in these counties are now eligible for low interest loans from the Farm Service Agency.

To date, disaster and contiguous counties in Wisconsin include everything south of a line from Trempealeau to Chippewa across to Taylor, Marathon and Shawano then down to Sheboygan Counties.

The full USDA map can be viewed here:

Filed Under: News, USDA/Government Tagged With: , , , ,

Hog inventory expected to see slight increase

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ahead of USDA’s quarterly hogs and pigs update, analysts, on average, don’t expect all that many changes in the main inventory categories.

Via Dow Jones Newswires, the average guess for the total herd as of September 1 is 100.7% of a year ago, the breeding inventory is pegged at 99.9% and marketings are estimated at 100.8%.

The June to August pig crop could come out at 100.2% with pigs per litter at 100.9% and farrowings of 99.2%. September to November farrowing intentions are projected at 98.7% and December to February intentions are seen at 98.4%.

By class, hogs weighing less than 50 pounds are seen at 99.9 of a year ago, with the 50 to 119 pound category at 100.1%, 120 to 179 pounders at 100.8%, and the 180 pound an heavier inventory at 102.6%.

The numbers are out Friday, September 28 at 2 PM Central.

Filed Under: Livestock, Markets, News, USDA/Government Tagged With: , , ,

Live cattle down, feeders up

September 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Live cattle were lower on the lower corn and traders getting ready for widespread cash business. What business we have seen so far was down from last week as supply meets demand and beef demand has been slow recently. Contracts were also down sharply Tuesday and October has lost nearly 5% since the six-month highs hit mid-September. October was down $.47 at $122.22 and December was $.65 lower at $124.75.

Feeder cattle were up on the lower corn, seeing a slight correction after the big drop Tuesday. Soon to expire September was $.25 higher at $143.45 and October was $.92 higher at $146.10.

There was fairly light direct cattle business on Wednesday. According to DTN and USDA, business in Kansas was at $123 Live with much lighter trade in Texas, also at $123. On the Dressed basis, Nebraska traded at $192 with scattered activity in Iowa at $190 to $191. Asking prices are generally around $126 to $127 Live and $197+ Dressed with bids of roughly $122 Live and $192 Dressed. Given the light activity reported Tuesday and Wednesday, there’s still plenty of business left to be done this week.

In the cattle auction at Tama, Iowa, Choice slaughter steers and heifers were mostly steady, Holsteins were unchanged, and slaughter cows were $.50 lower. Estimate receipts were 988 head, compared to 1,042 a week ago. Choice steers were mainly $123.50 to $126.75, with Choice heifers mainly at $123.25 to $126. Slaughter Holstein steers were primarily at $111 to $115.50 and Choice slaughter heifers sold at $123 to $126.85. At the feeder cattle auction in Kingsville, Missouri, steers over 600 pounds and 500 to 700 pound heifers sold steady to $4 higher with other weights near steady. Supply was good and demand was good to very good. Estimated receipts of 1,418 head were down on the week but up on the year. 600 to 700 pound feeder steers ranged from $149.50 to $157.75 and 500 to 600 pound feeder heifers sold at $135.50 to $156.75.

Boxed beef cutout values were weak on moderate demand and offerings. Choice was down $.23 at $192.45 and Select was $.05 lower at $181.51. The estimated cattle slaughter of 120,000 head was down 4,000 on the week and 11,000 on the year.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Closing Futures & Livestock Briefs, Markets Tagged With: , , , , ,
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